WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush, as he left Thursday to get a close-up view of the devastation caused by wildfires in Southern California, thanked firefighters, expressed sympathy for those who lost their homes and businesses and promised federal assistance.

''It's a sad situation out there in Southern California,'' he said. ''I fully understand that the people have got a lot of anguish in their hearts, and they just need to know a lot of folks care about them.''

Bush spoke on the South Lawn as he left rainy Washington for the bone-dry conditions of California, where a break in the harsh winds raised hope of progress against fires that threatened to take still more homes.

''Apparently the winds are more favorable today which should be encouraging to firefighters,'' Bush said.

Bush was expected to arrive in California by midmorning. He was scheduled to take a helicopter tour of the wildfire damage and visit a San Diego neighborhood. Bush then was to travel north to Escondido to assess that area's damage and talk about recovery efforts. He planned lunch with emergency responders before returning to Washington later in the day.

''I will assure the people of California that the federal government will be deploying resources, assets and manpower necessary to help fight these fires,'' Bush said. ''As well, I will assure them that because of the declaration I signed yesterday, there will be help for the people of California.''

Bush declared the fires a major disaster on Wednesday, setting in motion long-term federal recovery programs, some requiring matches from the state, to help state and local governments, families, individuals and certain nonprofit organizations recover. The assistance varies from direct aid for uninsured losses to help with rebuilding infrastructure.

For instance, the Agriculture Department on Thursday approved a monthlong emergency food stamp program in San Diego County to help feed people whose homes were damaged or destroyed or who lost income because of the fires.